Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 1 of 24
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
EASTERN DIVISION
CITY OF LIVONIA EMPLOYEES’ ) No.RETIREMENT SYSTEM, Individually and on )Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated, )
)Plaintiff, )
)vs. )
THE BOEING COMPANY, W. JAMES )
McNERNEY, JR. and SCOTT E. CARSON, ))
Defendants. ))) DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONOF THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 2 of 24
Plaintiff, by its attorneys, alleges the following based on the investigation of counsel which
included a review of United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings by The
Boeing Company (“Boeing” or the “Company”), press releases issued by Boeing, public statements
issued by defendants, securities analysts’ reports about the Company, and media reports about the
Company. Plaintiff believes that substantial additional evidentiary support will exist for the
allegations set forth herein after a reasonable opportunity for discovery.
NATURE OF THE CASE
1. This is a securities class action on behalf of all persons who acquired the common
stock of Boeing during the period between May 4, 2009 and June 22, 2009 (the “Class Period”),
alleging that defendants committed violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
“Exchange Act”), 15 U.S.C. §§78j(b) and 78t(a), and Rule 10b-5, promulgated by the SEC, 17
C.F.R. §240.10b-5, during the Class Period.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
2. This Court has jurisdiction over the claims asserted in this complaint pursuant to § 27
of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. §78aa, and 28 U.S.C. §1331.
3. Venue is proper in this Judicial District pursuant to §27 of the Exchange Act and 28
U. S. C. § 1391(b) and (c). Defendants maintain their principal executive office at 100 N. Riverside,
Chicago, Illinois 60606-1596. Certain acts and conduct complained of herein, including the
dissemination of materially false and misleading information to the investing public, occurred in this
district.
4. In connection with the acts and conduct alleged in this complaint, defendants, directly
or indirectly, used the means and instrumentalities of interstate commerce, including, but not limited
to, the mails, and interstate wire and telephone communications.
- 1 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 3 of 24
CLASS ACTION ALLEGATIONS
5. Plaintiff brings this action as a class action pursuant to Rule 23 of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure individually and on behalf of all persons who acquired the common stock of
Boeing during the Class Period (“the Class”). Excluded from the Class are defendants, members of
their immediate families, and officers and directors of Boeing and their immediate families.
6. The members of the Class are so numerous and geographically dispersed across the
country that joinder of all members is impracticable. More than 200 million shares of Boeing
common stock (ticker symbol “BA”) were traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
during the Class Period.
7. Plaintiff’s claims are typical of the claims of the members of the Class. Plaintiff and
each member of the Class purchased the Company’s common stock during the Class Period and
sustained injury as a result.
8. Plaintiff will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the members of the Class
and has retained counsel competent and experienced in class action and securities litigation.
9. A class action is superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient
adjudication of this controversy since joinder of all members of the Class is impracticable, and the
damages suffered by individual members of the Class may be relatively small, making the expense
and burden of individual litigation an impossible hurdle for members of the Class to seek redress
individually for the wrongs done to them. There will be no difficulty in the management of the case
as a class action.
10. Common questions of law and fact exist as to all members of the Class and
predominate over any questions affecting solely individual members of the Class. Among the
questions of law and fact common to the Class are:
- 2 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 4 of 24
(a) Whether defendants’ acts and omissions as alleged in the complaint violated
the Exchange Act; and
(b) Whether the members of the Class have sustained damages, and if so, what is
the proper measure of damages.
THE PARTIES
Plaintiff
11. City of Livonia Employees’ Retirement System acquired the common stock of
Boeing during the Class Period and was damaged as the result of defendants’ wrongdoing alleged in
this complaint, as set forth in the certification attached hereto.
Defendants
12. Boeing has organized its business in five principal segments, including the
Commercial Airplanes segment. The Commercial Airplanes segment is involved in developing,
producing and marketing commercial jet aircraft to the commercial airline industry worldwide.
Boeing’s newest commercial airplane in development is the 787 Dreamliner (“787”). Boeing’s
principal competitor is Airbus SAS which is also developing a new airplane, in competition to the
787, called the A380.
13. W. James McNerney, Jr. (“McNerney”) was, at all relevant times, the Company’s
Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
14. Scott E. Carson (“Carson”) was, at all relevant times, the Company’s Executive Vice
President, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes segment and
Member of the Executive Council.
- 3 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 5 of 24
FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
Pre-Class Period Statements
15. The 787 is Boeing’s principal next generation commercial airplane and has been
eagerly awaited by the commercial airline market and the financial market since it was first
announced in 2004. Since its announcement, Boeing has made numerous announcements
concerning the number of orders for the 787 it has received from commercial airlines, worldwide,
the positive results of the testing process for the 787 and also the timetable for the maiden flight of
the 787 and commercial delivery of the 787.
16. On December 11, 2008, Boeing provided an updated schedule for the 787. The
maiden flight was moved back two quarters to the second quarter of 2009, ending June 30, 2009, and
the first delivery of the 787 to a commercial airline was moved back two quarters to the first quarter
of 2010. In its press release, Boeing stated that the “new schedule reflects the impact of disruption
caused by the recent Machinists’ strike along with the requirement to replace certain fasteners in
early production airplanes.' Carson stated in the press release, “‘Our industry team has made
progress with structural testing, systems hardware qualification, and production, but we must adjust
our schedule for these two unexpected disruptions.’' Boeing’s 787 program vice president, Pat
Shanahan (“Shanahan'), stated in the press release, “‘We’re laser focused on what needs to be done
to prepare for first flight. . . . We will overcome this set of circumstances as we have others in the
past, and we understand clearly what needs to be done moving forward.’' The announced delay
caused a drop in the price of Boeing common stock.
17. In Boeing’s SEC Form 10-K for 2008, issued February 9, 2009, signed by, inter alia,
McNerney, Boeing reiterated the schedule for the 787 announced on December 11, 2008, and
described the 787 program as follows:
We are in the final stages of assembly of the initial airplanes and planning for flighttest. The risks that we are always inherent in the latter stages of new airplane
- 4 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 6 of 24
program production remain. We continue to address challenges associated withassembly of the first few airplanes, including management of our extended globalsupply chain, completion and integration of traveled work, weight and systemsintegration. We are also continuing efforts to satisfy customer mission andperformance needs in light of the anticipated weight of their respective aircraft.During 2008, we announced schedule delays for the 787 airplane. First flight of the787-8 airplane has moved from the second quarter of 2008 into the second quarter of2009. Delivery of the first 787 moved from early 2009 into the first quarter of 2010.Delivery schedules for 787 derivative airplanes may also be impacted. The revisedschedule reflects the cumulative impacts of disruption caused by the recent IAMstrike, the requirement to replace certain fasteners in early production airplanes, aswell as the impact from the challenges mentioned above. We continue to work withour customers and suppliers to assess the specific impacts of schedule changes,including delivery delays and supplier assertions associated with such changes. Anumber of our customers have contractual remedies that may be implicated by ourrevised plan for the 787. We continue to address customer claims and requests forother contractual relief as they arise.
18. In the SEC Form 10-K, Boeing stated that the backlog of orders for the 787 had
increased in 2008 to 910, up from 817 in 2007.
19. On April 22, 2009, Boeing issued its SEC Form 10-Q for the first quarter of 2009,
earnings press release and First Quarter 2009 Performance Review. In the 10-Q, Boeing reiterated
the schedule for the 787 announced on December 11, 2008, and described the 787 program as
follows:
We are in the final stages of assembly of the initial airplanes and planning for flighttest. The risks that are always inherent in the latter stages of new airplane programproduction remain. We continue to address challenges associated with assembly ofthe first few airplanes, including management of our extended global supply chain,completion and integration of traveled work, weight and systems integration. We arealso continuing efforts to satisfy customer mission and performance needs in light ofthe anticipated weight of their respective aircraft. First flight of the 787-8 is targetedfor the second quarter of 2008 with delivery in the first quarter of 2010. Theschedule reflects the cumulative impacts of disruption caused by the 2008 IAMstrike, the requirement to replace certain fasteners in early production airplanes, aswell as the impact from the challenges mentioned above. We continue to work withour customers and suppliers to assess the specific impacts of schedule changes,including delivery delays and supplier assertions associated with such changes. Anumber of our customers have contractual remedies that may be implicated by ourrevised plan for the 787. We continue to address customer claims and requests forother contractual relief as they arise.
- 5 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 7 of 24
20. In the earnings press release, Boeing stated:
Progress on the new 787 Dreamliner continues on the revised scheduleannounced in December. The company expects the first flight to occur in the secondquarter of 2009 with deliveries to begin in the first quarter of 2010. Recentmilestones include completion of build-verification tests on Airplane 1, clearance ofall systems hardware and Rolls-Royce engines for first flight, completion of power-on for Airplane 2, and the beginning of final assembly for the sixth and final flighttest airplane. The program saw orders for 32 airplanes cancelled by mutualagreement with customers during the quarter. Total firm orders are now 886airplanes from 57 customers.
21. In the First Quarter 2009 Performance Review, Boeing and defendant McNerney
stated:
– All 787 systems hardware and software, Rolls-Royce engines cleared for firstflight
– Airplane 1 factory gauntlet test complete
– Began assembly of final flight test airplane
Class Period Misrepresentations
22. As the date for the maiden flight of the 787 approached, defendants made a series of
misleading statements to the market concerning the results of the testing process for the 787 and
Boeing’s ability to meet the schedule for the first flight and the delivery of the 787. Defendants
made these false and misleading statements in an effort to: (a) forestall further cancellations of
orders for the 787, particularly as the orders for its competition, the A380, were gaining ground;
(b) conceal from the market the material fact, known to defendants, that the 787 had a structural
problem in its design that would prevent the first flight of the 787 by June 30, 2009, and delivery in
the first quarter of 2010; and (c) enable Boeing to make a positive presentation concerning the test
results for the 787 and the schedule for the first flight and delivery of the 787 at the Paris Air Show,
scheduled for June 15-18, 2009, at which Boeing hoped to receive additional orders for the 787 and
beat out the showing made by Airbus for its A3 80.
- 6 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 8 of 24
23. On Sunday May 3, 2009, Boeing issued a press release discussing the current status
of the 787 program, stating:
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner that will fly later this quarter has moved to the flightline. Fuel testing – the first in the next phase of extensive checks the airplane mustundergo – will begin in the next few days.
The Vice President and General Manager of the 787 program, Scott Fancher (“Fancher'), stated:
“‘We are making great progress, and moving ever-closer to first flight.’'
24. Boeing also stated in the press release:
In recent weeks, the 787 (designated ZA001) completed a rigorous series oftests including build verification tests, structures and systems integration tests,landing gear swings and factory gauntlet, which is the full simulation of the firstflight using the actual airplane. With Chief Pilot Mike Carriker at the controls, thesimulation tested all flight controls, hardware and software. The simulation alsoincluded manual and automatic landings and an extensive suite of subsequent groundtests.
Fancher stated: “‘These results give us confidence in our ability to move into further gauntlet testing
using either ground power or the airplane’s engines or auxiliary power unit. This is a significant
milestone on the path to first flight.’'
25. Boeing continued in the press release:
All structural tests required on the static airframe prior to first flight also arecomplete. The final test occurred April 21 when the wing and trailing edges weresubjected to their limit load – the highest loads expected to be seen in service. Theload is about the same as the airplane experiencing 2.5 times the force of gravity.
Fancher stated: “‘We continue to analyze the data, but the initial results are positive.’'
26. Boeing ended the press release by stating:
All the necessary structural tests required prior to first flight are now complete.
Now on the flight line, [the 787] will undergo additional airplane power andsystems tests as well as engine runs. After completing final systems checks andhigh-speed taxi tests, the airplane will be ready for first flight, which is on schedulefor later this quarter.
The 787 Dreamliner has orders for 886 airplanes from 57 customers.
- 7 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 9 of 24
27. The statements in the press release, quoted in ¶¶23-26, above, were misleading
because defendants knew and failed to disclose that there was a structural problem with the 787, that
is, the wing was not properly attached to the body of the airplane. Defendants also knew and failed
to disclose that the structural defect, despite all of the purported successful test results for the 787
touted by defendants, would cause an undeterminable delay in the schedule for the first flight of the
787 beyond June 2009 and delivery of the 787 beyond the first quarter of 2010. Boeing’s misleading
press release had its desired effect on the market, and the price of Boeing common stock rose
immediately by 2.4% to close at $41.77 on May 4, 2009, and continued to rise, closing at $44.20 on
May 6, 2009.
28. Boeing continued with its misrepresentations to the market. On May 21, 2009,
Boeing issued a press release, which stated:
Boeing continued to make steady progress toward the first flight of the 787Dreamliner, completing the first engine runs on the all-new airplane. The occasionmarks the first all-electric start of a commercial jetliner engine on a twin-aislecommercial jetliner; the engines had been started electronically in test facilitiesearlier.
Fancher stated: “‘We are very pleased with the performance on the engines during the test. We will
now get ready for our intermediate and final gauntlet tests.’'
29. On June 1, 2009, Bloomberg reported that Boeing began a flight simulation test on
the 787, quoting a Boeing e-mail which stated that the test “‘is expected to take about seven days,
but it’s more important to get the testing done correctly than to meet a schedule.’' The news story
also referred to defendant McNerney’s statement that the 787 is “Priority No. 1' for Boeing.
Boeing’s stock price rose to $47.70 with the announcement of the commencement of the flight
simulation test.
30. On June 4, 2009, Boeing issued a press release announcing its presentation schedule
at the upcoming Paris Air Show. Boeing announced that Carson would make a presentation on June
- 8 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 10 of 24
15 at 9:30 and Shanahan, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President and General Manager of
Airplane Programs, would make a presentation on June 16 at 1:00 concerning the 787. As in
Boeing’s earlier press releases, defendants did not disclose the structural flaw in the 787 and that the
structural defect would prevent Boeing from conducting the first flight of the 787 by June 30, 2009,
and delivery of the 787 in the first quarter of 2010. The next day, Boeing’s stock price continued its
climb, rising 4% to close at $52.65.
31. On June 8, 2009, as the date for the Paris Air Show drew close, Boeing issued another
press release, stating:
Boeing has completed the intermediate gauntlet phase of testing on the first 787Dreamliner.
During the testing, pilots and engineers simulated multiple scenarios using allairplane systems as if the aircraft were in flight, including power, avionics and flightcontrols. Test scenarios ranged from standard flights to single and multiple systemsfailures during flights.
Intermediate gauntlet testing included about one week’s worth of operationson the airplane and hundreds of discrete test conditions.
Fancher stated: “‘The team has done an incredible job supporting an exhaustive test regimen. . . . I
couldn’t be more proud. We will continue to take a hard look at the results, make adjustments and
finish up our testing so we can get to first flight.’'
32. On June 9, 2009, McNerney stated, as quoted in the media, that “‘I think the airplane
will fly in June. We will embark on a flight test program as we described it. ’' McNerney is further
reported to have said that “he expects the first 787 deliveries in the first quarter of 2010. But he said
that there is always the chance that the schedule could be disrupted by a mechanical issue coming to
light during the test flight.'
33. On June 15, 2009, during the Paris Air Show, Boeing issued another press release,
stating:
- 9 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 11 of 24
The second Boeing 787 Dreamliner has moved to the flight line to begin fuel testing.This is the second of six 787s being used in the all-new airplane’s flight-testprogram.
* * *
Each of the six test-flight airplanes will be used for a specific set of testsduring the flight-test program. This airplane, designated ZA002, will focus onsystems performance. Like its predecessor, ZA001, this airplane has successfullycompleted a rigorous series of tests while still in the factory. Fuel testing beganimmediately upon the airplane entering the fuel dock.
ZA002 features the livery of the Dreamliner’s launch customer, ANA (AllNippon Airways) of Japan.
Fancher stated: “‘ANA will be the first to fly the 787 Dreamliner in commercial service. . . . We are
honored to fly in ANA livery throughout the flight-test program as a tribute to our partnership in
bringing this all-new airplane to market.’' The press release stated that Boeing had 865 orders for
the 787 from 56 airlines. The press release was reprinted on June 16, 2009, and Fancher was quoted
in the press release, stating: “‘Momentum continues to build with each milestone achieved.’'
34. Carson used his presentation at the Paris Air Show on June 15, 2009, to state, as
reported by Bloomberg, that Boeing is “‘absolutely committed’' to a first flight of the 787 “within
the next two weeks [by June 30, 2009].' Carson’s statement was misleading because he knew and
failed to disclose that there was a structural problem with the 787 and that it would delay the first
flight of the 787 beyond June 30, 2009.
35. As reported by Reuters on June 16, 2009, Boeing, through its commercial planes
marketing chief, Randy Tinseth, reiterated at the Paris Air Show that the new 787 would fly before
the end of June. Bloomberg reported in a televised interview of defendant Carson from the Paris Air
Show on June 16, 2009, that Carson had stated: “‘I personally believe the [787] could fly today,’'
and that the 787 cleared the intermediate gauntlet testing that simulates flight conditions and
multiple systems failures “‘in much better condition than we’d anticipated.’'
- 10 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 12 of 24
36. On June 17, 2009, Boeing announced that final assembly had begun on the first 787
destined for delivery to launch customer ANA and that “[d]eliveries are scheduled to begin in the
first quarter of 2010.' Fancher is quoted, stating: “‘This is a great day for the 787 team.’'
37. The statements in the press releases quoted in ¶¶28-36 were misleading because
defendants knew and failed to disclose the structural defect in the design of the 787, that is, that the
wing was not properly attached to the body of the airplane. The press releases are also misleading
because defendants knew that, despite the purported successful completion of the intermediate
gauntlet phase of testing touted by defendants, the structural defect would cause an undeterminable
delay in the schedule for the first flight of the 787 beyond June 2009 and delivery of the 787 beyond
the first quarter of 2010.
Boeing Belatedly Discloses the Truth, and DefendantsAdmit They Knew the Material Facts They Did Not Disclose
38. Suddenly, without any warning, Boeing announced on June 23, 2009, that the “first
flight of the 787 Dreamliner will be postponed due to a need to reinforce an area within the side-of-
body section of the aircraft. . . . First flight and first delivery will be rescheduled following the final
determination of the required modification and testing plan. It will be several weeks before the new
schedule is available.' Carson stated that “‘[s]tructural modifications like these are not uncommon
in the development of new airplanes, and this is not an issue related to our choice of materials or the
assembly and installation work of our team.’'
39. Boeing also held a conference call with analysts on June 23, 2009, to explain this
dramatic disclosure. On the call, analysts peppered Carson and Fancher and Shanahan with
questions, including, inter alia, the nature of the structural defect, the timing of the disclosure and
the impact on the first flight and delivery schedules for the 787. Carson stated:
As our release stated this morning, based on our analysis of results from testson the static test airplane, we have determined that we need to make a modificationto reinforce a limited area of structure at the side-of-the-body section of the airplane
- 11 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 13 of 24
before we begin our flight test program. Following detailed analysis which wascompleted late last week, we decided to postpone first flight until the modification ismade and our team is satisfied that we are ready for fully productive flight testing.
40. Shanahan elaborated, stating as follows:
Late last month during planned 787 static testing, our team was conducting aseries of tests that involved bending the wings of our full-scale test airplane. Thesetests are part of the normal test process on the path to achieve certification. Duringthe test, the team identified stress in an area of the side-of-the-body structure that wasin excess of expectations. Our preliminary analysis of these results indicated that wecould proceed with first flight.
After further testing and analysis which we finished late last week, our teamconcluded that a productive test flight program could not take place withoutstructural reinforcement in limited areas with the side-of-the-body joint. We decidedat that point that we should postpone first flight and make needed modificationsbefore beginning the flight test program.
I want to be very clear here, this is a structural reinforcement issue . . . .
41. Upon questioning by analysts, Fancher admitted that the problem concerned the
critical point at which the wing is attached to the rest of the body of the airplane.
42. Carson admitted that they knew of the structural defect back in May 2009 but had
decided not to say anything when they learned of it or even at the Paris Air Show during their public
and private presentations. In response to a direct question about when defendants knew of the
structural defect, Carson wiggled around the answer, as follows:
[W]e discovered in a test condition several weeks ago an anomaly that we saw. Webelieved that we had a solution that would allow us to move to the flight testprogram. We retested and followed that retest with additional analysis late last week.As we looked at that analysis we concluded that to fly the airplane would have such alimited envelope on it that it wasn’t productive for us to do that. And we chose todelay the flight and incorporate the change so we have a vigorous flight test envelopeto work with.
43. Upon questioning by analysts as to management’s credibility, one analyst asked point
blank why, if management knew of this structural problem in May, they waited until after the Paris
Air Show, when the world’s attention was on Boeing, to make the disclosure. Carson replied:
- 12 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 14 of 24
When we were at Paris last week we had been through the preliminary analysis of thedata and were of a mind that the airplane could enter flight test with a credible flighttest envelope as we worked relatively minor modifications. The work done by theteam through the week last week narrowed the envelope to the point where onFriday we determined that to fly would be such a small envelope for us that it wouldbe an interesting exercise in having the airplane in the air but not particularly usefulin terms of preparing the airplane for certification.
So at that point is when we made the call to delay the process, identify the fix,test the fix, install the fix, and then enter a flight test program that is fully robust.
44. The analysts clearly were not satisfied with the explanations they were hearing, and
one analyst queried why, if the fix was so “small and simple,” it would take so long to sort out.
Fancher attempted a response, stating:
As far as the schedule to get through this, as I mentioned earlier, this is anarea where we have got wing, body coming together, multiple materials, and theobserved data from the static test did not match our model. So you’ve got arelatively complex area of the airplane, divergence of observables from analysis, andwe want to make sure that we are able to anchor those observables to the analysis andmake sure we’ve got that rock solid before we proceed with cutting chips and gettingparts to the airplane.
45. In direct response to a question concerning Boeing’s ability to meet the delivery
schedule for the first quarter 2010, Carson admitted that “we don’t have a reset on the schedule.”
46. In the aftermath of the belated disclosure and the answers received on the conference
call, security analysts commented on defendants’ lack of timely candor concerning their knowledge
of the structural problem with the 787. JPMorgan Chase aerospace analyst Joseph Nadol stated in
his research report that multiple members of Boeing management had assured him in private
conversations only the week before that the 787 would meet its first flight deadline and that “[t]he
structural issue that has caused the latest delay cropped up several weeks ago, but there was not a
hint of concern about it as management continually highlighted the impending first flight, including
last week at the Paris Air Show both in public and in private. Management acknowledged on the
conference call that it discovered this issue last month but noted it only determined last Friday [June
23] that it would cause a delay to first flight. We believe that had management been more up-front
- 13 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 15 of 24
about this situation, perhaps the modest level of credibility on this topic it had started to reestablish
over the past several months could have been sustained.”
47. In immediate response to Boeing’s belated June 23, 2009, disclosure of the structural
defect in the 787 and its effect on the first flight and delivery schedules, the market price of Boeing’s
common stock dropped 6.5% to close at $43.87 per share, on huge volume of 27.3 million shares
traded. The next day, Boeing’s common stock price dropped another 6% to close at $41.32 per
share, on huge volume of 21.3 million shares.
48. The Wall Street Journal, on June 25, 2009, reported on the dramatic disclosures,
stating that “Boeing said its engineers and senior executives alike had known since May of the
structural problem that will keep the jet grounded, possibly for months. [Boeing] said it decided late
Friday to scrub the first flight, which was to take place by June 30[, 2009],” and that “[w]ithout any
revised timetable for test flights or deliveries, investors have been left with few clues as to when the
company’s marquee product might get back on track. The uncertainty has contributed to a 12% drop
in Boeing’s share price over the past two days.”
COUNT I
For Violation of §10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5
49. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation contained in ¶¶1-48 of this
complaint.
50. During the Class Period, defendants carried out a plan, scheme and course of conduct
which was intended to and, throughout the Class Period, did: (i) deceive the investing public,
including plaintiff and other members of the Class, as alleged herein; and (ii) cause plaintiff and
other members of the Class to purchase Boeing common stock at artificially inflated prices. In
furtherance of this unlawful scheme, plan and course of conduct, defendants, and each of them, took
the actions set forth herein.
- 14 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 16 of 24
51. Defendants (i) employed devices, schemes, and artifices to defraud; (ii) made untrue
statements of material fact and/or omitted to state material facts necessary to make the statements
made not misleading; and (iii) engaged in acts, practices, and a course of business which operated as
a fraud and deceit upon the purchasers of the Company’s common stock in an effort to maintain
artificially high market prices for Boeing’s common stock in violation of § 10(b) of the Exchange Act
and Rule 1 0b-5. All defendants are sued either as primary participants in the wrongful and illegal
conduct charged herein or as controlling persons, as alleged below.
52. Defendants, individually and in concert, directly and indirectly, by the use, means or
instrumentalities of interstate commerce and/or of the mails, engaged and participated in a
continuous course of conduct to conceal adverse material information about the structural problem
with the 787 and its adverse impact on the first flight and delivery schedules for the 787, as alleged
herein.
53. Defendants employed devices, schemes and artifices to defraud, while in possession
of material adverse non-public information and engaged in acts, practices, and a course of conduct as
alleged herein in an effort to assure investors of Boeing’s value and performance, which included the
making of, or the participation in the making of, untrue statements of material facts and omitting to
state material facts necessary in order to make the statements made about the 787 in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, as set forth more particularly herein,
and engaged in transactions, practices and a course of business which operated as a fraud and deceit
upon the purchasers of Boeing common stock during the Class Period.
54. The false and misleading statements made by defendants are alleged in ¶¶22-36,
above.
55. The defendants had actual knowledge of the misrepresentations and omissions of
material facts alleged or acted with reckless disregard for the truth in that they failed to ascertain and
- 15 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 17 of 24
to disclose such facts, even though they have admitted that they knew of the facts and made a
decision not to disclose them, even when they were touting the success of the testing process and
assuring the markets that the tests of the 787 were all successful, that the results of the tests of the
787 were all positive, that the 787’s first flight was on schedule for June 2009, and that delivery of
the 787 was on track for the first quarter of 2010. Defendants’ material misrepresentations and/or
omissions were done knowingly or recklessly and for the purpose and effect of concealing the
structural problem in the 787 and its adverse impact on the first flight and delivery schedules of the
787 from the investing public and supporting the artificially inflated price of Boeing’s common
stock. As demonstrated by defendants’ misstatements and omissions of material fact throughout the
Class Period, defendants, if they did not have actual knowledge of the misrepresentations and
omissions alleged, were reckless in failing to obtain such knowledge by deliberately refraining from
taking those steps necessary to discover whether those statements were false or misleading.
56. The statutory safe harbor provided for forward-looking statements under certain
circumstances does not apply to any of the allegedly false statements pleaded in this complaint. The
failures to disclose the structural defect in the 787 and its negative impact on the first flight and
delivery schedules are not forward-looking statements. Rather they are current, existing facts. To
the extent any of the alleged misleading statements are considered forward looking, they were not
identified as “forward-looking statements” when made and there were no meaningful cautionary
statements identifying the fact that an existing structural defect in the 787 could cause a delay in the
first flight and delivery schedules of the 787.
57. The primary liability of McNerney and Carson arises from the fact that each of them
was a high-level executive at the Company responsible for the 787 program and was privy to the
material facts concerning the structural defect and the impact on the first flight and delivery
timetables for the 787, and each of them made statements to the public and contributed to or
- 16 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 18 of 24
reviewed Boeing’s press releases, as alleged in this complaint, concerning the development, testing
and soundness of the 787 and the first flight and delivery schedules for the 787. Each of them was
aware of the Company’s dissemination of information to the investing public concerning the 787
which they knew or recklessly disregarded was materially false and misleading.
58. As a result of the dissemination of the materially false and misleading information
and failure to disclose material facts, alleged above, the market price of Boeing common stock was
artificially inflated during the Class Period. In ignorance of the fact that the market price of
Boeing’s common stock was artificially inflated, and relying directly or indirectly on the false and
misleading statements made by defendants, or upon the integrity of the market in which the common
stock trades, and/or in the absence of material adverse information that was known to or recklessly
disregarded by defendants, but not disclosed in public statements by defendants during the Class
Period, plaintiff and the other members of the Class acquired Boeing common stock during the Class
Period at artificially high prices and were damaged thereby.
59. At the time of said misrepresentations and omissions, plaintiff and other members of
the Class were ignorant of their falsity, and believed them to be true. Had plaintiff and the other
members of the Class and the marketplace known the truth regarding the problems with the 787, as
alleged herein, which were not disclosed by defendants, as alleged herein, plaintiff and other
members of the Class would not have acquired their Boeing common stock, or, if they had acquired
such common stock during the Class Period, they would not have done so at the artificially inflated
prices which they paid. The market for Boeing’s common stock was, at all times, an efficient market
that promptly digested current information with respect to the Company from publicly available
sources and reflected such information in the prices of the Company’s stock. Boeing’s common
stock was actively traded on the NYSE. The market price of Boeing’s common stock reacted
promptly to the dissemination of public information regarding the Company. Securities analysts
- 17 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 19 of 24
followed Boeing and published research reports regarding Boeing that were publicly available to
investors. As a result of the misconduct alleged herein, the market for Boeing’s common stock was
artificially inflated. Under such circumstances, the presumption of reliance available under the
“fraud-on-the-market” theory applies. Plaintiff and the Class justifiably relied on the integrity of the
market price for the Company’s common stock and were substantially damaged as a direct and
proximate result of their purchases of Boeing common stock at artificially inflated prices and the
subsequent decline in the price of the common stock when the truth was disclosed.
60. During the Class Period the price of Boeing’s common stock was artificially inflated
as a direct result of defendants’ misrepresentation and omissions regarding the 787. When the truth
about the 787 was finally revealed to the market on June 23, 2009, at the end of the Class Period, the
inflation that had been caused by defendants’ misrepresentations and omissions was eliminated from
the price of the Company’s stock as a direct and proximate result of the correct disclosures, causing
significant damages to plaintiff and other Class members.
61. By virtue of the foregoing, defendants have violated § 10(b) of the Exchange Act and
Rule 10b-5.
62. As a direct and proximate result of defendants’ wrongful conduct, plaintiff and the
Class suffered damages in connection with their respective purchases of the Company’s common
stock during the Class Period.
COUNT II
For Violations of §20(a) of the Exchange ActAgainst All Defendants
63. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegation contained in or realleged in
Count I, above, as if fully set forth herein.
64. McNerney and Carson each acted as a controlling person of Boeing within the
meaning of §20(a) of the Exchange Act as alleged herein. By virtue of their high-level positions,
- 18 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 20 of 24
participation in and/or awareness of the 787 program, McNerney and Carson each had the power to
influence and control and did influence and control, directly or indirectly, the decision-making of the
Company, including the content and dissemination of the press releases concerning the 787. Boeing
controlled Carson and McNerney and all of its other employees.
65. As set forth above, Boeing, McNerney and Carson each violated § 10(b) and Rule
10b-5 by their acts and omissions as alleged in this complaint. By virtue of their positions as
controlling persons, defendants are each liable pursuant to §20(a) of the Exchange Act.
66. As a direct and proximate result of defendants’ wrongful conduct, plaintiff and other
members of the Class suffered damages in connection with their acquisitions of the Company’s
common stock during the Class Period.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, plaintiff demands judgment:
A. Determining that the action is a proper class action under Rule 23 of the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure and that plaintiff be appointed Lead Plaintiff under the Private Securities
Litigation Act of 1995 and as a representative of the Class and its counsel be appointed Lead and
Liaison Counsel for the Class;
B. Awarding compensatory damages as appropriate against defendants, in favor of
plaintiff and all members of the Class, for damages sustained as a result of defendants’ wrongdoing;
C. Awarding plaintiff and members of the Class the costs and disbursements of this suit,
including reasonable attorneys’, accountants’ and experts’ fees; and
D. Awarding such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.
- 19 -
Case 1:09-cv-07143 Document 1 Filed 11/13/2009 Page 21 of 24
JURY DEMAND
Plaintiff hereby demands a trial by jury.
DATED: November 13, 2009 PLAINTIFF
By: s/Marvin A. Miller MARVIN A. MILLER
LORI A. FANNINGMILLER LAW LLC115 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 2910Chicago, IL 60603Telephone: 312/332-3400312/676-2676 (fax)
DEBORAH R. GROSSROBERT P. FRUTKINLAW OFFICES OF BERNARD M.
GROSS, P.C.Wanamaker Bldg., Suite 450100 Penn Square EastPhiladelphia, PA 19107Telephone: 215/561-3600215/561-3000 (fax)
SAMUEL H. RUDMANDAVID A. ROSENFELDCOUGHLIN STOIA GELLER
RUDMAN & ROBBINS LLP58 South Service Road, Suite 200Melville, NY 11747Telephone: 631/367-7100631/367-1173 (fax)
MICHAEL J. VANOVERBEKETHOMAS C. MICHAUDVANOVERBEKE MICHAUD &
TIMMONY, P.C.79 Alfred StreetDetroit, MI 48201Telephone: 313/578-1200313/578-1201 (fax)
Attorneys for Plaintiff
S:\CptDraft\Securities\Cpt Boeing. doc
- 20 -
Top Related